Return To The Building Owner [EN]: Chapter 638

August, one day.

Swish.

Hyun-sung glanced at the clock on the wall, checking the closing time.

The only reason he checked the closing time was so he could go on a date with his wife, Yoon Ji-soo.

It had already been four months since he first met his wife, Yoon Ji-soo, when she moved in back in April.

In terms of duration, it’s four months.

Four months could feel like a long or short time. After all, the perception of time varies depending on how a person feels.

The important thing is that, regardless of how others feel, Hyun-sung felt that the past four months had flown by.

That probably meant he really enjoyed spending time with her.

“Are you meeting her again today?”

His employee, Kim Min-ki, asked Hyun-sung, having noticed him constantly looking at the clock.

“Huh? No, just…”

“What do you mean, no? It’s obvious you’re meeting her today, judging by your eyes, boss.”

“Is it that obvious?”

“Of course, your face is practically glowing with excitement. You might not realize it, but your complexion changes drastically on the evening of a date.”

Smirk.

Hyun-sung chuckled lightly.

Since it was undeniable, he simply responded with a smile.

Kim Min-ki asked again.

“Do you like her that much?”

“Do I really need to say it?”

“Well, I can tell how much you like her just by looking at your face. But, you know…”

Kim Min-ki hesitated, glancing at Hyun-sung for some reason. Hyun-sung immediately asked.

“What is it? Why are you looking at me like that?”

“It’s just…”

“What?”

“It’s a bit hard to say, but I think she’s a bit older. I know older woman-younger man couples are trendy these days, but a seven-year difference seems like a lot.”

“Jeez, you’re saying all sorts of things. What does age matter between two people who love each other…”

Hyun-sung said casually, as if it were nothing. Kim Min-ki tilted his head and continued.

“Are you really okay with it, boss?”

“Of course, if it bothered me, would I have even started dating Ji-soo? I don’t care at all, so don’t bring it up again.”

“…”

Kim Min-ki glanced at Hyun-sung and nodded slightly, as if he understood. Then he immediately continued.

“And I have one more question.”

“What is it this time?”

“Why do you always meet her after closing? You could just meet her earlier in the evening since we’re here.”

“Ji-soo insists on it. She said she doesn’t want to interfere with business.”

He had already talked to Yoon Ji-soo about it, but her answer was always the same. She couldn’t allow her presence to affect the video store’s business. So, he had no choice but to meet Yoon Ji-soo after closing.

“Ah, is that so? I didn’t realize Madam had such deep thoughts…”

“What? Madam?”

Hyun-sung glanced at Kim Min-ki at the word ‘Madam.’ It felt a bit strange to hear ‘Madam’ from his mouth.

Kim Min-ki continued.

“Yes, from my perspective, that’s what I have to call her. Actually, it’s a bit uncomfortable sometimes.”

“Uncomfortable? When?”

He hadn’t realized that.

Kim Min-ki’s answer followed immediately.

“When Madam comes to rent a video when you’re not here.”

“Why then?”

“It’s a bit awkward to call her by her name, but it feels too early to call her Madam.”

“You worry about everything. Just call her by her name, why worry about that?”

“That’s just how I feel.”

Smirk.

Hyun-sung chuckled lightly. He said it as if it were nothing, but he fully understood what Kim Min-ki was saying.

Swish.

Hyun-sung looked at the clock on the wall again. There were still 30 minutes left until closing.

Just then.

Clang!

The store door opened, and someone came in. Hyun-sung was surprised the moment he saw the person.

“You are…”

The person who opened the store door was none other than Lee Sang-ho, who had tried to scam him a few months ago by pretending to want to open a video store.

Hyun-sung immediately asked.

“What brings you here so late?”

“I felt bad for leaving without properly apologizing to you back then, so I came back after five months.”

Hyun-sung couldn’t easily understand Lee Sang-ho’s actions. After all, they were strangers back then, and he had tried to scam him, but fortunately, he found out about it first and wasn’t scammed.

Of course, he was annoyed by his actions back then. He had tried to take advantage of his pure intentions to help.

But since he wasn’t someone he would see again, he hadn’t held it against him. But now that he had come back like this, Hyun-sung couldn’t understand.

Lee Sang-ho continued.

“Of course, you probably don’t understand why I came back. You probably forgot about someone like me right away.”

“…”

Hyun-sung didn’t have anything to say. What he said was true, but he couldn’t bring it up.

“But the reason I came back to see you like this is because my life changed because of you back then.”

“Because of me?”

It was completely unexpected. Hyun-sung’s voice unconsciously grew louder.

Lee Sang-ho continued immediately.

“Yes, that’s right. I don’t know if you remember what you said to me last.”

“I don’t know…”

Hyun-sung tilted his head. He couldn’t remember what he had said back then, even if he thought about it.

“You told me, ‘It’s not too late, so don’t give up.’ You told me to stop thinking about scamming people and live properly from now on. Don’t you remember?”

“Ah, yes…”

Hyun-sung finally remembered.

He had said that while returning the money he had received from him. But he never thought that he would change because of those words. No, he didn’t even expect it. He just said it because he felt sorry for Lee Sang-ho living like that, with the feeling that it was the last time.

“I didn’t think much of it at first. But after thinking about it for a few days, I realized how pathetic my life had been.”

“…”

“So, as I said before, I got a job as a kitchen assistant at a Chinese restaurant.”

Of course, he had heard about him getting a job at a Chinese restaurant on the phone before. But even then, he didn’t care whether he did or not. After all, he had no more expectations or regrets about him.

Lee Sang-ho continued.

“It was the first time.”

“The first time?”

“Yes, it was the first time I had heard such a thing in my life. Especially the words ‘It’s not too late’ felt like hope to me.”

Lee Sang-ho continued.

“I’m thirty-five years old this year. So I never even dreamed of trying something new or changing myself, thinking it was too late anyway. I had already given up.”

“…”

“But that day, you said those words to me. And strangely, those words touched my heart.”

Lee Sang-ho tapped his chest a few times as he spoke. His expression was serious, unlike anything he had ever seen before.

He continued again.

“Honestly, I’m just amazed. I don’t know what I was thinking at the time. But the most important thing is that my life started to change from then on.”

“That’s a relief.”

Hyun-sung didn’t easily believe Lee Sang-ho’s words. It’s generally said that people don’t change easily.

There’s even a saying that ‘People die when they change.’

Lee Sang-ho continued.

“And finally, something amazing happened today.”

“Something amazing?”

“Yes, that’s right. The head chef, who was working fine, had a big fight with the owner today and quit.”

The head chef quit? That meant the position was vacant. And the next person would take over the position.

“Could it be…?”

“Yes, that’s right. I’ve decided to take charge of the kitchen from tomorrow. I just signed the contract with the owner a little while ago. That means I’m now the head chef, not a kitchen assistant.”

From Lee Sang-ho’s expression, he could feel how happy he was. He suddenly took out a white envelope from his pocket and handed it to Hyun-sung.

“Please accept this.”

“What is this?”

Of course, he knew it was money the moment Lee Sang-ho handed him the envelope. But what Hyun-sung was asking now was the meaning of the money.

“It’s 200,000 won [approximately $15 USD]. Please accept it as a donation.”

“A donation?”

“Yes, it’s not much, but please use this money to purchase items from the free sharing store you run and use them for the needy.”

It was completely unexpected. Hyun-sung couldn’t answer right away and just looked at Lee Sang-ho.

Lee Sang-ho continued.

“I made a promise while working as a kitchen assistant. If I ever became the head chef, I would visit you and make a donation.”

“So that’s why you came here so late today?”

“Yes, that’s right. Honestly, the donation is a donation, but I wanted to show you that I changed because of you.”

Lee Sang-ho continued.

“Of course, our restaurant is small, so I became the head chef right away, but I’m confident in the taste. And I’m going to work hard and officially prepare for the Chinese cuisine chef certification exam.”

“That’s a good idea.”

“And I’m going to open my own restaurant before I turn forty.”

“Even a restaurant?”

“Yes, I’m going to take on the challenge with the thought that it’s not too late, as you said.”

“Hmm…”

After thinking for a moment, Hyun-sung nodded and continued.

“If, by any chance, you’re short of funds to open a restaurant, come and see me. I want to invest properly this time.”

“Haha…”

Lee Sang-ho suddenly started laughing. He continued immediately.

“I’m going to politely decline this time.”

“Huh? Why?”

“I’m going to stand on my own two feet. Without anyone’s help.”

“…”

Hyun-sung silently looked at Lee Sang-ho for a moment. A smile was spreading across Hyun-sung’s face.

Swish.

Hyun-sung reached out his hand to Lee Sang-ho, asking for a handshake. Lee Sang-ho grabbed Hyun-sung’s hand with both hands and continued immediately.

“Thank you, sir.”

“I’m the one who’s thankful. Thank you for showing me how you’ve completely changed in five months.”

“Please keep an eye on me. I’ll show you how I succeed.”

“Yes, I will. And as I said before, if you ever need my help, please tell me anytime. I’ll really help you this time.”

“Thank you for your kind words. But this time, I want to stand on my own two feet. So please watch me.”

Lee Sang-ho bowed to Hyun-sung with those words. Hyun-sung nodded as if he understood and grabbed Lee Sang-ho’s hand again, saying.

“Yes, good. Then I’ll watch you. But please contact me when you open your restaurant.”

“Yes, of course. I’ll definitely invite you.”

“Well, good luck.”

Hyun-sung grabbed Lee Sang-ho’s hand and shook it vigorously. Both of their faces were full of smiles.

A little later.

As soon as Lee Sang-ho left the store, Kim Min-ki spoke.

“People can change like that?”

“I guess so. Anyway, I feel good.”

It was just then.

Another employee next to him said to Hyun-sung.

“Boss, this is not the time for this. It’s already past 12.”

“Huh? Really?”

The clock was just past 12:05.

“Hey, I’m going first, so close up and go home. See you tomorrow.”

Hyun-sung left the store with those words and started running to the villa where Yoon Ji-soo was.

A little later.

The two met in front of the villa.

Hyun-sung spoke first.

“Did you miss me a lot?”

“Here we go again…”

Yoon Ji-soo glared at Hyun-sung. Hyun-sung smiled and turned around, slightly opening one arm, meaning to link arms.

Just then.

Slap!

Yoon Ji-soo’s palm touched Hyun-sung’s back, and her voice was heard along with it.

“Not yet!”